Bathtub



June 22, 1937. oc 2,084,852

BATHTUB Filed NOV. 5, 1936 .Wi'fineas few/WW Mm C M Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES Searcn riou PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to bathtubs and the like, and has for its object the provision of a bathtub having an integrally formed non-slip surface of improved construction and arrangement.

It is well known that the bottom of the conventional bathtub, shower bath and the like is slippery when wet, and particularly so if it or the feet of a user are at all soapy. Countless injuries occur as a result of falls by persons slipping while standing or getting into or out of the tub.

Many attempts have been made to eliminate this danger. Various types of mats as rubber or other material have been devised which, when placed in the tub, provide a roughened or nonslip surface upon which the bather may stand. Such mats, however, are objectionable in that they may slip relative to the tub, and are unsightly and unsanitary, being difficult to keep clean.

It has also been proposed to form a portion of the bottom of a bathtub with large transverse ridges or corrugations. Such ridges do not, however, prevent slipping in a direction lengthwise of the ridge when getting into and out of the tub, since the surface is smooth in that direction. Such ridges are also objectionable because of the discomfort they cause to the bather as he stands upon them. A further objection arises from the fact that the ridges interfere with the drainage of the tub and are difilcult to keep it clean.

The present invention avoids these objections and provides a bathtub having a non-slip surface integrally formed therein which effectively prevents slipping in any direction whatsoever, both when standing or moving about in the tub or getting in or out, has no portions raised above the general level or surface of the bottom of the tub to cause discomfort to the bather, and which is self draining and, therefore, sanitary and easily cleaned.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates a bathtub or the like having a bottom surface provided with a plurality of small depressions or recesses large enough and of a shape to prevent slipping in any direction, and yet not so large as to cause discomfort to the bather, and spaced sufiiciently close together so that the foot of the bather will cover several of them, and provided with drainage channels to prevent the retention of bath water when the tub is emptied after use.

In the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention as embodied in a bathtub, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a tub having a portion of its bottom formed with the novel non-slip surface; Fig. 2 is a sectional end view on a somewhat larger scale taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on a still larger scale taken on the oblique line 33 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but at right angles thereto, and taken on the oblique line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

The bathtub illustrated is of conventional shape, and is provided with the usual drain pipe 6 at one end. The bottom of the tub slopes gradually toward this end, and is also downwardly inclined or curved transversely toward the middle, as shown in the sectional view, Fig. 2.

The non-slip surface comprises shallow circular depressions 8 interconnected by drainage channels l0, and islormeiirgegrallywiththetubby casting. The non-slip area occupies somewhat over one-half the bottom area of the tub, adjacent the outlet end, and provides an area upon which the bather may stand or safely step when using or entering or leaving the tub.

The drainage channels l0 run diagonally from the outside rows of depressions downwardly toward the center and outlet end, connecting with a central channel 12 which leads directly to the outlet pipe opening. This arrangement and orientation of the channels insures that each and every depression or recess will be completely drained when the tub is emptied.

The depressions are spaced at intervals sulficiently close so that several will be engaged by the feet of the bather. While a single depression might not be sufficiently effective to prevent slipping under all circumstances, the cumulative effect of several such depressions afiords substantially positive engagement with the feet to afford complete safety to the bather.

The depressions are of a size large enough to prevent slipping and yet not so large as to be uncomfortable to the bather. Due to their symmetrical shape they are effective in all directions. A satisfactory form of recess has been found to be cup-shape of about one-half inch diameter and one-eighth inch depth.

The channels, while designed primarily for drainage purposes, also provide a supplementary non-slip surface because of their inclined or oblique arrangement tending to prevent slipping both longitudinally and transversely of the tub and being particularly effective adjacent the middle thereof where the feet of a bather may cover channels at right angles to each other.

The channels need not be wide enough to be noticeable to the bather and yet effectively drain the deprssions when the tub is emptied. It has been found that it is sufficient if the channels are one-eighth of an inch wide and oneeighth of an inch deep, that is, as deep as the recesses.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a bathtub, it is to be understood that it is not limited to use in such construction but may be employed in shower baths, bathing pools, or any other structure where a person stands or walks bare footed on a wet surface. Where in the claims, therefore, reference is made to a bathtub, this is to be taken to include such other structures in which the present invention is adapted to be used.

The nature and scope of the invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with an imperforate, non-slip top surface comprising a plurality of recesses spaced apart less than the width of the human foot.

2. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with an imperforate, non-slip top surface comprising a plurality of small, cup-shaped recesses spaced apart less than the width of the human foot.

3. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with an imperforate, non-slip top surface comprising a pluralty of small, cup-shaped recesses so spaced as to bring several of the recesses beneath the foot of a user.

4. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with a non-slip top surface comprising a plurality of small recesses and channels of less width than the recesses for draining the same.

5. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with a non-slip top surface comprising a plurality of small recesses so spaced as to bring several of the same beneath the feet of the user, and narrow channels of less width than the recesses extending to the bottom of the recesses for draining the same.

6. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with a non-slip top surface comprising a plurality of recesses, a main channel extending lengthwise of the tub, and a series of diagonal channels extending from the recesses to the main channel for draining the recesses.

'7. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with a non-slip top surface comprising a plurality of small recesses arranged in diagonal rows and connected by diagonal drainage channels.

8. A bathtub or the like having side walls and a bottom with an outlet at one end, the bottom being provided with a non-slip top surface comprising two series of recesses arranged in diagonal rows and channels connecting the recesses of each row and extending from adjacent the side walls of the tub diagonally toward the middle and the outlet end of the tub.

9. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with a draining outlet at one end and with a non-slip top surface extending in length from substantially the outlet end to a point beyond the middle of the tub, and in width substantially from side to side of the tub, said surface comprising a plurality of imperforate, small recesses spaced apart less than the width of the human foot.

10. A bathtub or the like having a bottom provided with a draining outlet at one end and with a non-slip top surface comprising a plurality of small recesses so spaced as to bring several of the same beneath the feet of the user, and narrow channels connecting the bottom of the recesses and extending obliquely toward the longitudinal middle of the bottom of the tub and toward the outlet end.

11. A bathtub or the like having a draining outlet at one end, the bottom of the tub being provided with a non-slip surface adjacent the outlet, and a smooth surface distant from said outlet, the non-slip surface comprising a plurality of imperforate, small recesses so spaced as to bring several of the same beneath the feet of the user, and channels for draining the recesses.

GEORGE H. LOCHMAN. 

